What are your views on renewing Trident?
Only one Scottish MP backed plan
Westminster last week voted to renew Trident against the wishes of all but one MP in Scotland.
Renewing the UK’s nuclear weapons programme is expected to cost £31billion which has sparked intense debate over whether this money could be better spent. But with acts of terror and nuclear threats growing around the world, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says Trident “puts doubts in the minds of our adversaries”.
We asked East Kilbride shoppers if they supported the renewal of Trident.
Chris McCaig (24), of Hairmyres, said: “I don’t think we should have nuclear missiles on our own waters when we didn’t even vote for it – it’s very unsettling and costing too much money.”
Ex-pat Ronnie Palmer (59), who now lives in Malaga, said: “Get rid of it – it’s a complete waste of money. Technically we don’t have a terrorist problem in Scotland so I don’t think Trident defends anything.”
Ex-army corporal Martin Marshall (47), from Calderwood, has toured in Bosnia and Iraq. He said: “I don’t think the money could be better spent, it’s a worldwide deterrent and our defence equipment will be better now.”
Ken Diamond (60), of Hairmyres, said: “Mhairi Black got it right – it’s Westminster and parliamentary vanity. It’s a sorry state of affairs when we could be spending the money on welfare, education and health.”
Mhairi Black got it right – it’s Westminster and parliamentary vanity Ken Diamond